A hot tub is a great place to unwind after a long day. It is also a good way to relax and enjoy a day off. There are many situations that can arise, however, that make going outside to your hot tub less of a luxury and more of a hassle. This is why many homeowners are choosing to install an indoor hot tub.

Benefits of an Indoor Hot Tub Like many things that are installed inside instead of out in the elements, an indoor hot tub is most convenient because it can be used all year round without regard to the climate. Depending on your area's climate, using an outdoor hot tub could mean subjecting your body to intense heat, cold, or precipitation. There will be no such problems with indoor hot tubs.

Privacy issues often accompany outdoor installation, as well. A hot tub is meant to be shared with friends, family, and invited guests. Unfortunately, many owners have found that they also draw some unwanted attention, too. Installing an indoor hot tub is a way to enjoy your purchase in a private and comfortable setting.

Indoor Hot Tub Issues Everything, even a hot tub, has a down side. Thankfully, in this case, the negatives are all taken care of by the time you're ready to take your first dip. The installation of an indoor hot tub is much trickier than it would be outside. The room it is put in will most likely need to be altered to deal with the large amounts of moisture, weight, and heat.

Moisture and heat can do a lot of damage to certain building materials. The room that is to contain the hot tub will most likely need some extra ventilation. Also, many types of flooring are adversely affected by pooling water. You'll probably need to install a more water resistant floor, like tile or concrete. These renovations can add up, but the finished product will be well worth it.

Hot Tub Enclosures A hot tub enclosure is a way to take advantage of some characteristics of both indoor and outdoor hot tubs. They are often built much like a gazebo and can let in outside air or be fully enclosed by windows.

A hot tub enclosure will be built specifically for the purpose of housing a heavy heat and moisture-producing machine. It will be made of materials that are picked specifically to hold up under these conditions. There will be much less worry about ventilation and pooling water.

Having a roof and walls around your hot tub will mean that it can be used year round and in less than optimal conditions. Unfortunately, it will still be outdoors: You'll have to walk through the weather to get to it (and, even worse, walk back while you're dripping wet). Hot tub enclosures can also be quite pricey, especially if you want a higher end model with a lot of options. In some situations, it could cost more for an enclosure and an outdoor tub than it would to install an indoor tub. Those thinking of purchasing one would be wise to get an estimate of the other while shopping around.

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.